The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the Senate says it strongly and unreservedly supports President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in addressing all challenges facing the country.
The Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Abdullahi Yahaya (APC-Kebbi) made the disclosure on behalf of the APC caucus at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
The caucus was reacting to a statement credited to the PDP minority caucus in the National Assembly on the handling of the security situation in the country by President Buhari.
“We in the APC caucus totally reject the many incorrect statement contained in the press release by the minority caucus in the National Assembly.
“Indeed, we are quite aware of the role of the opposition in any democracy, however, the statement by the PDP caucus has gone too far given the good working relationship in the 9th Assembly and especially with the minority caucus.”
He said the statement by the minority caucus was capable of over-heating an already charged polity in which men of good conscience and patriotism are expected to act as leaders and Statesmen.
“In all our deliberations, the entire Senate, including the minority had discussed exhaustively in a very robust, transparent and patriotic flavor to arrive at our concrete resolutions.
“We take exception to the unfortunate charge that our President has not been seen.
“This is false and cheap politics. Mr. President and service – chiefs are meticulously busy everyday and every night in deliberations with a view to addressing the security challenges across the entire country.
“Mr. President had always made statement to Nigerians on all major security incidences and assuring Nigerians and indeed the international community that he would continue to do his best in making sure that the security challenges are tackled head-on.
“We want to assure Nigerians that Mr. President is in charge of government and is discharging his duties conscientiously and patriotically.
“We are confident that the nation will surmount its current security challenges.”
Yahaya said that the Federal Government was aware of the challenges and working to massively get the economy working for Nigerians.
He stressed that the various interventions in agriculture and social sectors, as well as infrastructural development were meant to reduce the pains of the economic downturn on ordinary Nigerians.
“We therefore call on our distinguished colleagues and indeed all Nigerians to join hands with us as we proffer solutions to this hydra-headed security challenges.
“In doing so, we want to assure Nigerians, and the international community that the rule of law will be respected and the rights to political opposition guaranteed.
“We ask for support and continuous constructive criticisms as envisaged by the tenets of our participatory democracy.
“We reject and dissociate ourselves from all and any inflammatory statements that appear to threaten the authority of Mr. President and our party.
“We accordingly, wish to remind them that blame game and threats of constitutional measures are unwelcome and will not help in any form to address the challenges the nation currently faces”.(NAN)
